Hira Kamal1,* and Muhammad Bilal Shabbir2
1Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA; 2Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
*Corresponding Author: hira.kamal111@gmail.com
Polyploidy, the condition in which an organism possesses more than two complete sets of chromosomes, is a widespread phenomenon in plants that plays a central role in evolution, speciation, and crop improvement. It can arise naturally through processes such as hybridization, whole-genome duplication, or the formation of unreduced gametes, and it can also be induced artificially using chemicals like colchicine or oryzalin to enhance desirable traits in crops. Polyploids are classified as autopolyploids, originating within a single species, or allopolyploids, arising from hybridization between distinct species. Ancient (paleo-) and recent (neo-) polyploidization events have contributed to genome plasticity, diversification, and rapid adaptation, leading to enhanced organ size, biomass, stress tolerance, and resistance to pests and diseases. Key crops such as wheat, cotton, and canola owe much of their productivity, resilience, and genetic diversity to polyploidy. Beyond its agricultural importance, polyploidy plays a major role in driving plant speciation and environmental adaptation, providing a vital genetic mechanism for sustaining crop productivity under climate change and increasing global food demand.